“The requirement for recovering from illness is to be able to eat, so there’s no need to be so rigid about everything. Rest assured, Grandmother, I’ll try my best not to affect the efficacy of the medicine. During the day, if you can move around, do try to get some movement. In the evening, I’ll come over to give you a massage. With better sleep, naturally you’ll have more vitality. Although your illness can’t be completely cured and you can’t have the energy of a healthy person, achieving a normal diet, being free from pain, and being able to walk, stand, and sit as usual is not a problem.”

“That’s not much different from a healthy person. At my age, why would I need much energy?”

Xiao Cao smiled faintly without speaking.

“Fourth Girl, teach this massage technique to the maids as well. You have your own matters, and you can’t spend all your time on this old woman,” Old Madam Wenren said in a calm voice.

“Teaching the maids the technique is certainly no issue, but Grandmother, you shouldn’t say that. I know you’re saying this because you care about me,” Xiao Cao replied warmly with a smile.

Some people might seem serious and hard to approach, and their words might appear harsh. However, they often have the kindest hearts. It’s not that they dislike the younger generation—they just prefer not to discuss it. They might not express their care openly, but when it truly matters, they won’t just stand by. Xiaocao regards Old Madam Wenren as one such person.

“First, teach the maid. Once she’s familiar with the technique, she can give you a massage. She will visit during the day but not in the evenings.”

When instructing the maid, using Old Madam Wenren for practice wasn’t an option, so the Mama offered herself as a substitute.

Xiao Cao patiently explained the nuances of pressing each acupoint—the method, sequence, duration, and pressure required. Thankfully, any minor mistakes wouldn’t cause harm, allowing Xiao Cao to confidently let the maid practice on the Mama.

After finishing the lesson, Madam Wenren directly dismissed them.

The two sisters bid farewell and left together.

Just as they were about to step over the threshold, “Fourth girl…” Madam Wenren called out to Xiao Cao.

“Grandmother, is there anything else you wish to instruct?” Xiao Cao turned back and asked.

“Find some time to check on your Second Aunt,” said Old Madam Wenren, her eyes noticeably dimming as she spoke.

Xiao Cao didn’t quite understand, but she knew that her aunt’s health wasn’t good. Despite being younger than Han Shi, she looked at least ten years older. Even if the old madam hadn’t mentioned it, out of the healer’s instinct, Xiao Cao would still have found a time to check on her aunt. Of course, whether the aunt was willing or not had nothing to do with Xiao Cao, but now that the old madam had spoken, there would be no problem moving forward.

“Alright.”

On the way back, Wenren Ying continued to hold Xiao Cao’s arm, sighing as they walked. “To be honest, our Second Aunt is really a pitiful person…” Wenren Ying blinked as she turned her head to look at Xiao Cao.

Xiao Cao didn’t respond, so Wenren Ying simply stopped, forcing Xiao Cao to stop as well, and turned to look at her. Seeing this sister with an expression that screamed “I have big gossip, ask me quickly,” Xiao Cao couldn’t help but smile. After all, she was still a child, and she meant no harm. “What do you mean by that?”

Then, Wen Renying vividly recounted the “grudges and feuds” of the second family to Xiao Cao. In the end, she said, “Fourth Sister, do you think having a son is really that important?” She sounded a little emotional and seemed a little worried.

— Of course it isn’t important. However, Xiao Cao wouldn’t say that out loud. The current environment was as such; it’s just that the second uncle was indeed excessively obsessed. Unfortunately, there usually isn’t a way to persuade such a person.

Encountering such a husband, such a father, is absolutely a disaster. As a daughter, perhaps one might have a “second chance at reincarnation” into a good family, but as a wife, there’s nothing to do but endure the hardships.

“Fourth Sister, is Grandmother’s intention to have you see if Second Aunt can still bear children?”

Xiao Cao was a bit surprised, “How could Seventh Sister think that way? Grandmother is likely worried about Second Aunt’s health.”

Wenren Ying felt a bit awkward. Normally, as a mother, one would naturally consider things from her son’s perspective. Yet it seemed that this Fourth Sister hadn’t thought about this at all. Did she misunderstand Grandmother’s intentions, or was this Fourth Sister truly compassionate, with the benevolent heart of a healer?

“Seventh Sister has indeed reminded me. When the time comes, I must explain it clearly to Second Aunt, so she doesn’t misunderstand,” Xiao Cao said to herself.

Wenren Ying tilted her head and stayed silent. This Fourth Sister was indeed… quite likable. As long as there was no conflict of interest, Wenren Ying really didn’t mind…

Wenren Ying consciously shifted away from the topic and began to chat with Xiao Cao about some fun gossip, enthusiastically introducing her to some insights about the upper social circle and expressing eagerness to introduce her to some close friends.

Xiao Cao quietly listened, occasionally nodding and remembering certain things in her heart.

When she returned to the main courtyard, Han Shi was giving someone a lecture, and the listless person standing with their head down was immediately identified by Xiao Cao as that twin younger brother.

Wenren Taibo was a handsome middle-aged man, Wenren Xu was also handsome, so naturally, Wenren Yang had excellent looks. Although eighteen years old, which should count as a young man or somewhere in between, Wenren Yang’s face appeared tender, truly resembling that of a big child. Especially when he heard the commotion at the door and turned his head to look, squinting slightly, his eyes were exceptionally clear, just like a child’s. However, at that moment, there was a hint of confusion, making him seem a bit dazed.

Xiao Cao paused slightly, feeling something strange rising in her heart. How should she describe it? Probably… she was charmed! Xiao Cao pondered slightly, estimating that her twin younger brother was probably nearsighted.

However, this somewhat naive appearance didn’t seem to match the family’s vibe, whether it was wisdom, competence, shrewdness, or liveliness. Among these people, Wenren Yang looked like the odd one out.

“Fourth brother…” Wenren Ying called out, but seeing that he didn’t respond, she became a bit exasperated, “Still can’t see clearly? This is your fourth sister. You two stayed together in your mother’s womb for ten months. Reading, reading, all you know is reading. You’ve read so much your eyes have gone bad and you’ve become foolish.” As she spoke, she rolled her eyes.

Han Shi couldn’t help but sigh and hold her forehead, “How did I end up with a bookworm like you? Hurry and greet her.”

Only then did Wenren Yang slowly bow to Xiaocao, “Fourth sister.”

Interestingly, they were twins, and their order in the family were the same.

“Xiao Si.” The nickname slipped out almost instinctively, and after saying it, she accepted it with a smile in her eyes.

TL: Xiao Si means “Little Four”.

Wenren Yang tilted his head slightly, seemingly puzzled as to why Xiao Cao would address him like that.

Xiao Cao was charmed once again. She used to think that only children could be so adorable and cute, but today she realized that this notion was wrong. Or perhaps, her sense of what’s cute is different from the average person’s? Didn’t Han express helplessness toward this son, and Wenren Ying show disdain toward this brother?! Yet she thought this younger brother was so obedient and soft, that she really wanted to hug and touch him.